How are foreigners treat in Taiwan?

I know quiet a few white guys in Taiwan and they all seem to get along just fine. Most are long term expats so they have a better respectability than some of the new guys, so that might be a part of it.

However in general Taiwanese treat all foreigners very well, I have lived in Taiwan for 5 years and I have seen a lot of new teachers and new students arrive that within the first week or two find themselves as outcasts because of their disrespectful attitudes. Having fun is one thing but being an A$$hole is another thing. This is usually what gets the guys in trouble with other Taiwanese guys, that and chasing every girl insight or trying to get laid as often as possible thinking all Taiwanese girls are easy or something.

Taipei is a more metropolitan city so people will be even more open than there are in Taichung where I live but I am sure the rules apply the same there as here. These are the guidelines that me and few other teachers have come up with to pass on to the newbies when they arrive.

A. Don't be a douche bag. - I know this is a general rule around the world but some people think that just because they are in a foreign country it gives them the right to act how ever they please.

B. Be friendly but not overly friendly. - This is a strange one. Taiwan is a conservative country for the most part. So you shouldn't be too touchy feel, by that I mean don't go around hugging everyone and putting your hands all over people. Sounds stupid right but seriously this creeps people out especially from the new guy. It takes time to build up to that level of friendship here.

C. Be Respectful. - Even people do something you don't agree with or that you think is crazy or illogical just roll with it. Trying to change people and tell them that what they are doing is wrong will cause you a lot of friction. Depending on the situation you can say "well where I am from we do it this way" and try and explain a different view than the one they currently have. I have found this one is more excepted than just saying "in the US/UK/Canada/Australia/where ever country we would never do this, its stupid/illogical/crazy etc.." Seriously just roll with the punches and you will come out better off for it.

D. Follow the rules of the road. - IF you drive or ride a scooter in Taiwan, you will find the roads are insane. Scooters going in every direction passing people in on coming traffic, cars doing U-turns in the middle of the road, little blue trucks that stop for no one, people running red lights while the police are across the street from them. Its crazy but it works for the Taiwanese. Just follow your best judgement most of the time, but don't stop your bike behind cars in line at traffic lights odds are you will get hit, keep up with traffic but stay at a comfortable pace (too fast and you might panic and wreck, too slow and you might get ran over), riding with friends is the best way to get use to the environment so do it often at first and then venture out on your own.

There are more but I think these are the better ones for getting by, and I can't remember them all off the top of my head.

For a lot of foreigner assistance I always recommend going to Taiwan's largest online foreigner community Forumosa.com because most of the people there have been in Taiwan for 5-10 or more years and have a vast knowledge of foreign life in Taiwan. Everything you need to know someone has probably already been through it and wrote about it. Just be careful there too because there are a few jerks who have nothing better to do than harass new people, or someone seeking info.

I am Taiwanese American I have been living in Taiwan full time for about a year now. From my experiences foreigners especially of the white persuasion are more accept and are treated welcomely. As for me looking Taiwanese but not being from Taiwan and not knowing all the local terms and slang has caused people to think I am sheltered or because me English is fluent while my Chinese isn't.

I don't know so much about how Taiwanese men treat foreign men so much, because obviously I am a girl. However, my male friends seem to get along quiet well. There was another American that lives in Taichung that helps me out from time to time and he seem to get along well with the Taiwanese guys, not in the fruity way but you as friends. I think it has more to do with respect than it does with perception of nationality or race for the guys. If you come here acting like you own the country and you are better than everyone else you will find that the guys will be harsher towards you and most of the gals will shy away from you.

Really it depends on your personality and how you handle the culture differences as to how people will treat you in the long run, but for first encounters most Taiwanese will be nice and helpful to you. So be kind, friendly, and sincere to people and they will treat you well, don't harass and chase every girl you see and you will have a good reputation and shouldn't have any problems with the guys and it will be easier for you to talk to the girls here. Most Taiwanese girls don't like the horn dog guys that chase anything with a breasts.

As a rule of etiquette don't call people Chinese (meaning like they are the same as mainland Chinese), or say that Taiwan is apart of China. That will only cause you troubles. One of my coworkers is new here and has already found himself isolated because of this issue.

They don't tend to treat you differently. In fact, Taiwanese people like foreigners...so long as they don't

1) insult Taiwan

2) claim that their home is so much better than Taiwan

3) say things such as "TAIWAN IS PART OF CHINA"

those three are fatal.

You'll be treated with courtesy, and respect, especially if you can speak some Chinese, as it indicates you're willing to learn about other cultures and are well educated+intelligent for picking up a language as difficult as Chinese.

Generally Taiwanese people are impressed by and respectful of foreigners that seem to resonate with the culture.

I'm so white that my Taiwanese wife wears sunglasses when we shower together!

There may be some plusses and minusses that I don't completely understand, but I have always felt that I am treated fairly here.

EDIT: Ok. As has been alluded to in Joanne's and Chubu's answers, the best way to get a Taiwanese girl interested in you is to become good friends with a few of the decent Taiwanese guys who are your age. It's that simple.

I am Indian and I've been her 25 years without any problems . I find the people fab friendly and helpful!! It generally depends on your attitude and how you get along with people.

The guys that are disliked are generally people who are not a happy lot, bitching all the time ,not happy thing are not like "back home"

Taiwanese people give everyone a chance to "do your thing" without bothering you. If you are a nice guy, no worries at your end.

dude, i wouldn't stereotype the entire group of people, base on the behave of some individual (for there are goods and bads in every ethnic group, and it'd be dumb to generalize the entire race for one's good or bad experience)

personally, i think it really depends on one's attitude toward others... it's as simple as looking at oneself in the mirror, if you show them a friendly smile, people will do the same to you... well, normally. (after all, there are crazy kids everywhere =3=.)

however, one thing i'd like to bring up... although i hate to say that, but, there are certain amount of idiotic pieces of sh#t, showing no respect to our nation, culture and the people, treating Taiwan just like another Bangkok... and that sure offend the hell out of we taiwanese people (chinese, taiwanese, han-people... whichever name you preferred) p.s. there's nothing wrong with dating and loving with anyone(regardless the nationality and gender), but... only with respect.

anyway, i don't think you will have to worry much about living in taiwan, as long as you keep yourself from dangerous areas... like ones that exist in every city. (for example, we all know that one shouldn't walk alone in the remote area... and that is just common sense, eh?)

take good care of yourself, and i wish you a nice trip here in taiwan. (a lots of preety places to see, and friendly, decent people to live with. :)

Best wishes.

L.

Taiwanese people LOVE foreigners! they think foreigners interesting and show a lot of love for them :)

I am Taiwanese. We don't stereotype people. However, it'll be best if you can speak and read Chinese/Taiwanese.

from wat i heard, i am i taiwanese ethnically but american by birth. u seriously need to have good chinese to blend in. if u go back and speak english arrogantly, ppl will HATE you. they'll be like "o look at that amercian boi thinkin hes better than us cuz he knows english" but generally, if ur an asian from like japan or korea, ppl treat u really nicely. but if ur from like vietnam or phillipines, u tend to get looked down upon. its an asian heirachy thing... all bout history and prejudice.

Unfortunately, Taiwan is a haven for unemployed white men looking for economically disadvantaged Asian women. Jobless white guys with an Asian fetish have a negative reputation in Taiwan.

Hundreds (thousands?) of white males descend upon Taiwan annually looking for ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching jobs. These guys are usually long-term unemployed in their home countries and Taiwan is their "last chance" at a semi-normal life. If they get a job in Taiwan, then these white guys immediately start chasing economically disadvantaged local women. Taiwanese men see this and get upset because it is sickening.

I'm not saying that all white men in Taiwan are losers. That would be unfair and too broad of a generalization. Instead, I would say that 99% of all white men in Taiwan are losers. Enjoy your visit to Taiwan.